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UP FRONT
PDXPLAINED
STREET SPEAK!!!
by Natasha Chilingerian
Who: Gina Volk, bartender
Age: 21
Location: American Cowgirls
I love reading about the history behind Portland’s
most interesting buildings in PDXplained, but you
seem to have missed my favorite one—that big red
brick building on the corner of SW Washington St &
11th Ave. It doesn’t really fit in with other Portland
architecture and has a slight New England style with the
clock tower. When was it constructed? What kinds of
businesses did it house in the past? Any other stories
you can dig up? I’d really appreciate your response.
—Heather Slater, Pearl District
Thanks for speaking up about the Portland landmark that
interests you the most! This structure, called the Portland Telegram
Building, is sitting pretty after a recent makeover while still exuding its
historic charm. It was built in 1922 as the headquarters of Portland’s
evening newspaper at the time, the Portland News-Telegram. Unfortunately,
the Great Depression forced the publication to fold in 1931, and
another news organization took over the space. Several small businesses
resided in the building over the years to come, but most ended
up closing or moving, leaving the landmark’s interior dark and empty
more often than not.
In 1994, the wealthy Dr. Peter Nathan and his family purchased
the building, and in 2001, contracted with the Venerable Group Inc. to
launch a renovation project. They set out to remodel the interior as a
home for upscale businesses, while keeping the same charming façade
that has graced the building since 1922. The work started in April 2003
and finished nearly a year later, in March 2004. Updates include a new
lobby, a fourth floor penthouse, a 51-spot underground parking lot and
a rooftop patio. Much of the building’s original design was preserved,
such as its wood and iron staircase and original marble, while modern
amenities were added, like the Northwest’s first Gen2 elevator system,
which saves space by placing a compact integrated machine structure
right in the hoistway instead of in an extra room above the elevator
shaft (it also makes for a fast, smooth ride). In May 2005, the Portland
Telegram Building was selected by the Oregon Downtown Development
Association for a “Historic Restoration meets the 21st Century”
award, along with the 1919 Oddfellows Building in Canby. Today, the
lucky folks at Aequis Spa call the fourth floor penthouse their workplace,
and if you’re really interested, much of the other office space is
for lease. —Natasha Chilingerian
Do you have a nagging question about the city that’s gone unanswered
for too long? A local mystery you’d like us to investigate? Send an email
to pdx@pdxmagazine.com and we’ll get on it!
What attracted you to the countrywestern
bar scene? I guess the whole
Coyote Ugly thing. It looked kinda
fun.
Are you from Portland? Yes.
No small town, Wild West roots? No,
nothing like that.
Are you a country music fan? Now I
kind of am! When you listen to it, it
grows on you. I’m not like everyone
else who works here, though...I
don’t wear cowboy boots to work, I
wear my Vans.
What other types of music do you
like? Punk, alternative and classic
rock.
What’s your favorite cowboy-style
drink? Honestly, the Cowgirl Koolaid
[Skyy Berry vodka, Midori, Amaretto
and cranberry]. It’s what I drink
when I’m here.
Ever ridden a mechanical bull? No.
Any desire to? I might if I had a
couple drinks in me.
Have you been line dancing? I’ve
gone with my mom before.
What’s the appeal of it? It’s easy to
learn, so everyone can get into the
groove of that.
Do you think country-western bars
belong in Portland? They’re trying to
make it that way, but I don’t know if
it’s going to override everything else
that’s going on. We’re too much of a
grungy, funky town.
What do you do on days off ? I like
going to concerts and shows, being
outside and rafting when it’s nice
out, and going to other bars I like.
What’s your favorite bar? Ringlers,
A Sad Goodbye
or sometimes I like going to a dive
like the Horse Brass. I also like the
Night Light.
Do you have a favorite country singer
yet? I like Toby Keith...kinda.
Favorite western movie? And don’t
say The Dukes of Hazzard. That was
horrible. That might have been the
only one I’ve seen, and it blew.
What’s the craziest thing that’s
happened in this bar? One lady took
a Corona bottle in her mouth, tipped
back and drank the whole thing.
What’s the appeal of women dancing
on the bar? Getting noticed. It’s
amazing how many women get
up there and become strippers. It
makes them feel alive, like they’re the
“thing” of the night.
Read all about the surge of country-western
bars in town on p. 33.
Roy Keller was a pioneer. The owner of Mary’s Club blazed a trail over
the past 50 years, running Portland’s oldest strip club; when he died on July 9
at the age of 90, he left a city known for the most strip clubs per capita.
He was not always a strip club impresario, however. Keller purchased
Mary’s Club in 1954, when it was a piano bar catering to merchant seamen.
As Portland’s port traffic slowed down, he attracted new patrons with go-go
dancers, who eventually completely replaced the musicians. Mary’s became
the first topless nightclub in 1965 and went completely nude twenty years
later. The dancers still employed elaborate costumes and impressive routines,
making Mary’s Club a classic destination.
Through all the years, Keller was a consumate gentleman, rarely drinking
and treating his employees with kindness and respect. Keller’s daughter,
Vicki, carries on the Mary’s legacy as the current owner, and the club remains
the prime spot in Portland for a classic strip club experience. In honor of
Keller, we suggest showing the dancers some support and taking to heart his
favorite saying: “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
8 PDXmagazine.com / August 2006